affirmation

noun

af·​fir·​ma·​tion ˌa-fər-ˈmā-shən 

1

a

: the act of affirming

nodded his head in affirmation

b

: something affirmed : a positive assertion

His memoir is a reflective affirmation of family love.

2

law : a solemn declaration made under the penalties of perjury by a person who conscientiously declines taking an oath

Synonyms of affirmation

• declaration
• assertion
• insistence

Examples of affirmation in a Sentence

a sworn affirmation that he had never acted as a spy for the enemy

Recent Examples on the Web

Mornings at the camp are dedicated to light exercise, camp songs, positive affirmations and a gentle initiation into meditation. — Savita Patel, Mercury News, 26 July 2026

Now all the non-denials being issued by Donald’s past and possibly future team feel like affirmations. — Los Angeles Times, 26 July 2026

Each morning before Grays drops her now 2-year-old daughter off at daycare, the two share a ritual of positive affirmations. — Miami Herald, 24 July 2026

She's also curated large-scale art pieces such as two 30-foot Black portraits in 2022 and a model barbershop in 2024, complete with affirmation stations and healing circles for men. — Kalia Richardson, USA Today, 24 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English affirmacioun, borrowed from Anglo-French affirmation, affermacion, borrowed from Latin affirmātiōn-, affirmātiō, from affirmāre "to affirm" + -tiōn-, -tiō, suffix of action nouns

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing affirmation

• gender affirmation surgery
• self-affirmation

Rhymes for affirmation

• abdication
• aberration
• abjuration
• abnegation
• abrogation
• acceptation
• acclamation
• acclimation
• accusation
• activation
• actuation
• acylation